Thanks for the reminder. Looks like i've got about $70 to spend. Time to start thinking about a sleeping pad (so i don't have to keep borrowing). Seems with their return policy, REI is a good place to make that purchase.

How do you all get such high dividend amounts? What are you buying? I have an REI credit card, and probably bought more there last year than I have in a while, and my dividend is $36. I'll probably replace the Sunday Afternoons hat I seem to have misplaced...

I use my REI Visa card on lots of stuff including a few pairs of trail running shoes per year, airfare, car rentals, motel stays, daily expenses around home, and so on. I pay it off each month though. That in addition to my bike and backpacking stuff. I also buy gifts for family at REI using the REI Visa.

I have been an REI member for 36 years. Some years, I spend a little cash there. Some years, I spend a lot there. Why is it that the little years are the ones with a high dividend rate, like greater than 10%, and the big years when I've spent $500-$1000, the dividend rate is low?

Tim at EE could certainly take the dividend. Just request cash or check from REI. You don't have to spend it there. (Of course, they want you to though, which is why I think they time the dividend release with the 20% off sale.)